TORONTO — As a jury was on Wednesday convicting Christopher Husbands of two counts of second-degree murder and five of aggravated assault in connection with the Eaton Centre shootup in downtown Toronto, I was poring over a transcript of his bail hearing four long years ago.

The announcement that luxury chain Nordstrom will take over the space currently being vacated by Sears at the Toronto Eaton Centre naturally managed to spark discussion about whether there is enough demand in Canada for the traditional department store aimed at the shrinking middle class.